What is the meaning of Ezekiel 22:2? As for you, son of man Ezekiel is personally addressed, underscoring his role as God’s appointed messenger (Ezekiel 2:1–3; 3:17; 33:7). • The title “son of man” highlights Ezekiel’s humanity in contrast to God’s authority, yet signals a divinely commissioned task similar to Jeremiah’s call (Jeremiah 1:5–10). • God speaks directly and unambiguously, reminding us that Scripture records real historical conversations with binding authority (2 Timothy 3:16). • The phrase sets the tone: responsibility rests on Ezekiel to relay God’s verdict, not personal opinion (Numbers 24:13). Will you judge her? The rhetorical question is God’s mandate: Ezekiel must pronounce judgment, not merely observe (Ezekiel 20:4). • Judgment here means declaring God’s righteous standard; the prophet is not free to remain neutral (1 Kings 18:21). • Like Nathan before David (2 Samuel 12:7), Ezekiel is to stand in God’s courtroom, speaking His verdict. • This reveals God’s patience—He gives verbal warnings before final discipline (Amos 3:7). Will you pass judgment on the city of bloodshed? “City of bloodshed” points to Jerusalem, stained by violence and idol-inspired murders (2 Kings 21:16; Jeremiah 2:34). • The repetition intensifies the certainty of coming discipline (Ezekiel 24:6–9). • Bloodshed violates the sixth commandment (Exodus 20:13) and defiles the land (Numbers 35:33). • Jesus later weeps over the same city for killing the prophets (Matthew 23:37), affirming the continuity of this charge. • God’s justice is comprehensive—He sees every secret act (Psalm 139:1–4). Then confront her with all her abominations The prophet must lay out the full catalog of sins (Ezekiel 16:2; 23:36). • Confrontation is an act of mercy, offering a chance to repent (Proverbs 27:5). • “Abominations” includes idolatry, sexual immorality, oppression of the poor, and ritual murder (Ezekiel 22:6–12). • New-covenant believers share a similar duty: “Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:11). • Light reveals sin so that forgiveness can follow (John 3:19–21; 1 John 1:9). summary Ezekiel 22:2 charges the prophet to step into God’s courtroom, declare His verdict on a blood-stained Jerusalem, and expose every abomination. The verse underscores personal responsibility to proclaim God’s righteous standards, the certainty of divine justice against violence and idolatry, and God’s mercy in warning before judgment. |
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